Understanding joint health

Joints are amazing pieces of biological engineering

They allow varying degrees of movement between bones in the body.

The basic anatomy of a joint is given in the diagram below.

In reality, the design of joints differ in different parts of the body from the spine to the stifle (knee) or from the cranium to the carpus (wrist). The important components of a joint are given in the diagram below:

All movement in the body requires energy to produce an impulse or signal to be sent along a nerve to cause a muscle to contract. For example, This causes the blink of an eye or the heart to beat.

For locomotor movement, skeletal muscles have firm attachments via their tendons beyond the joints that are required to move. The joint’s direction of movement is dictated by the shapes of the bone ends that fit together and the joint is stabilized by the attachment of ligaments. Lubrication and friction free movement of the joint is essential and this is facilitated by two very important components of the joint: the articular cartilage and the synovial fluid.

Because of the complexity of joints, it is important to maintain them with the neccessary nutriets and care because they can easily be damaged through injury or simple wear and tear leading to inflamed and painful joints, and in some cases the breakdown of the protective cartilage which can expose the underlying bone which then no longer has a friction-free covering leading to more pain. Fragments of cartilage in the synovial fluid can compromise its lubricating action too which can lead to less efficient cushioning of forces and so the whole process can be self perpetuating without veterinary intervention. 

nutraflex is a vet recommended product which will aid and soothe stiff joints whilst promoting mobility and flexibility. It is especially useful as not only does it support joint structure and help maintain optimum joint health but it is fast acting.